Twitch’s recent ban on gambling content led to a 20% viewership drop
Twitch changed its policy last month and removed certain gambling content from its menu. Weeks later, analysis of traffic on streaming platforms showed that the policy changes had left their mark.
The "banned gaming content" portion of Twitch's update is an attempt to appease certain streamers who have been trying to limit gambling on the platform for years. Four domains are effectively banned from promotion on Twitch, including Stake.com, Robot.com, Rollbit.com, and Duelbits.com.
According to the new policy update, users are not allowed to share links or affiliate codes with sites that offer craps, roulette, and slot machine games. However, due to different time zones, some users were still able to stream gambling content online for several hours even after the new rules came into effect.
The decision to remove some gambling content was met with backlash and is now damaging the company's profile, according to Casinolytics, a data firm covering the iGaming industry.
Falling from above
Twitch remained the king of streaming content in the third quarter of this year. They accounted for 95.9% of the total audience during this period, while YouTube accounted for 4.1%. YouTube still leads the pack when it comes to commentary, replays, and big win videos, but Twitch remains the undisputed champion in casino live streaming.
According to Casinolytics reports, it currently holds 74% of the market share. Before the policy change, it controlled about 96% of the market. Twitch remains at the top of the list, but a 22% drop in just a few weeks is impressive.
Therefore, Twitch can try to make up the difference through new advertising revenue channels. The company recently confirmed that it is testing a new ad-supported streaming service, potentially running an ad channel alongside the streaming content.
Optimization continues
As the transition begins, Twitch said it will take a closer look at whether streamers use virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass geo-blocking tools. Additionally, gambling streamers advertising to U.S. audiences will now be more consistently monitored for operating licenses issued by major gambling authorities.
These changes are good news for YouTube; his popularity increased after Twitch's policy update. Casinolytics reports that since Twitch transitioned, the platform’s reach has increased by an average of 40%.
Some users began live streaming on Twitch, YouTube, and Dlive simultaneously. Unsurprisingly, the four targeted gaming companies quickly moved from Twitch to Dlive, an alternative platform the Southern Poverty Law Center says is popular with "white supremacists and other extremists."
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Source: www.casino.org
